The Problem: Street Harassment

In the U.S., 65% of women and 25% of men,predominantly those who identify as L.G.B.T.,reported experiencing street harassment in2014.

— Stop Street Harassment and GfK

77% of women in the U.S. under 40 have been followed by a man or a group of men in a way that made them feel unsafe in the last year.

— Dr. Beth Livingston and Hollaback.org

SAFER: NYC specifically targets street harassment, or “catcalling,” which is defined as “unwanted interactions in public spaces between strangers that are motivated by a person’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, or gender expression and make the harassee feel annoyed, angry, humiliated, or scared.” (Stop Street Harassment)

84.9% of US women experienced street harassment before the age of 17, and 11.6% of women experienced it before age 11.

— Dr. Beth Livingston and Hollaback.org

For more information on Street Harassment, check out the following resources from our allies in the movement:

"Hidden in Plain Sight", a report on Sexual Harassment and Assault in the New York City Subway System by the Manhattan Borough President's Office

85.6% of US women have changed their routes to their destination as a result of street harassment.

— Dr. Beth Livingston and Hollaback.org

The Solution: Mobilize Men

SAFER: NYC believes that men are the solution to ending street harassment. While men are usually the perpetrators of street harassment, blaming them for the problem does not make men change their behavior. Instead, SAFER: NYC’s video and outdoor public service announcements (PSAs) encourage men to reconsider their actions and actually join in the transformation of gender relations in public spaces. Our outdoor PSAs will be premiering on New York City subways soon! Check them out here first!

Special Thanks to Buddha Bar!

About SAFER: NYC

SAFER: NYC fills an important need to unleash citizen power to make our city an even better place for all us. Their fresh and gutsy approach wakes us up and moves one to act.

— Susan Davis, President & CEO of BRAC USA

Our Mission: to mobilize men to transform public interactions and end street harassment.

Our Vision: a world where everyone can walk down the street without strangers yelling unwanted come-ons and insulting comments about their bodies and behavior, but instead feeling safe, respected, and free.

Why we're unique: Without mobilizing men, the problem can never be solved. Therefore, rather than accusing or alienating, SAFER: NYC empowers men to be part of the solution by highlighting their relationships to all women as fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, etc. Reminding men of the women in their own lives and equating these women with the recipients of harassment will personalize the devastating impacts of street harassment and serve as a pivotal force for changing public behavior.

An initiative such as SAFER: NYC has long been needed in the movement to end harassment and intimidation of women and girls throughout the greater New York Community. It is not enough that men are sensitized to not perform and say harmful behaviors and language to female citizens on streets and in public spaces, but they absolutely must be held accountable to themselves, each other, and the greater society in which they co-exist with women. SAFER: NYC has identified pathways towards successfully achieving both goals. 

Our Origin Story: Since the age of 13, founder Julia Nethero endured countless catcalls and unwanted attention in public. Julia often complained to her partner, Joseph Fan, about these comments and harassment she experienced daily on the streets of New York City. Joseph, an avid supporter of gender equality, was also frustrated by existing anti-street harassment campaigns and media because he felt, as a man, that he was being blamed for the problem, which discouraged him from being involved in the movement. So in January 2015 as part of Julia’s participation in the Landmark Self-Expression and Leadership Program as well as her graduate course on social enterprise at Columbia University, SAFER: NYC was born!

Meet the Team

Julia Nethero FanCo- Founder and Chief Change Activist

SAFER: NYC Co-Founder Julia Nethero Fan received her master's degree in Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. In addition to her Fulbright Fellowship on Chinese women’s political empowerment, she has worked at several human rights non-profits as well as the Clinton Foundation and the United Nations Population Fund. In addition to running SAFER: NYC, Julia is currently the Senior Research & Program Associate at WomenStrong International, a nonprofit supporting women-driven solutions to poverty. Julia received her bBachelor’s degree in Chinese and International Studies from Vassar College.

Joseph Fan, Esq.Co-Founder and General Counsel

SAFER: NYC Co-Founder and General Counsel Joseph Fan manages legal affairs, advertising, and corporate outreach for SAFER: NYC. Outside of his work with SAFER: NYC, Joseph is a real estate broker and a civil rights attorney. Joseph received his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Investments from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, and earned his law degree from Cornell Law School.

Alexandra VoûteDeputy Director

SAFER: NYC Deputy Director Alexandra Voûte is a singer/songwriter, a freelance research consultant for diverse professional projects, and a private educator for students of several top tier colleges and all-boys prep schools. Alexandra received her bachelor's degree from Columbia College, Columbia University, in Economics and Philosophy.

Work with us!Do you believe you can change the world? Are you passionate about social change, gender equality, community, and social enterprise? Are you a self-driven, motivated, innovative, and results-oriented person?SAFER: NYC would love you to join us! We are a fast growing social enterprise start-up always looking for passionate change makers who would like to donate their time to transforming public interactions and ending street harassment!Please send your resume and a brief description of how you can help us reach our vision of positive, safe, and respectful public interactions free of street harassment to safernewyorkcity@gmail.com.